Prince (October 5, 2002) – “A Prince Among Funksters” Review - The Daily Telegraph

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Oct 5, 2002

3 min read

This enthusiastic Daily Telegraph review captures Prince during his celebrated Apollo Hammersmith residency. Reviewing a performance from the One Nite Alone tour, Lynskey Hanley praises Prince's musicianship, the strength of the New Power Generation and the spiritual, funk-driven atmosphere that characterised the concert.

Publication: The Daily Telegraph

Date: October 5, 2002

Country: United Kingdom

Published during Prince's three-night residency at London's Apollo Hammersmith, the review opens with Prince addressing the audience directly and setting the tone for an evening that mixed performance, spirituality and musical exploration.

The writer notes that devoted followers of Prince had predicted a concert heavily influenced by The Rainbow Children, and those expectations proved correct. Much of the performance drew material from the album, which the review describes as a blend of jazz-inflected musicianship, gospel-inspired themes and spiritual exploration.

Throughout the evening Prince was backed by the New Power Generation, whose contributions are highlighted repeatedly. The review praises the group's precision and versatility, noting the seamless movement between funk, soul, jazz and rock influences. Particular attention is given to the way Prince used the band as an extension of his own musical vision.

The concert reportedly lasted close to three hours and relied far less on choreography and spectacle than many of Prince's earlier arena productions. Instead, the emphasis was placed on performance, improvisation and musicianship. The reviewer suggests that this approach allowed Prince to demonstrate the qualities that had always distinguished him as an artist.

Several moments are singled out for praise. The review highlights the concert's mix of energetic funk workouts and more reflective material, while also noting Prince's enduring connection with his audience. References are made to classic songs woven into the performance alongside newer compositions from The Rainbow Children.

The article concludes by describing Prince as a performer still capable of commanding a stage through talent and personality alone. Rather than depending on visual extravagance, the concert is presented as a celebration of music and musicianship from one of pop's most accomplished artists.

CONTEXT AND NOTES

The review was published during Prince's three-night Apollo Hammersmith residency of October 3-5, 2002. Although the article appears to describe the previous evening's performance, it does not explicitly identify which of the three concerts was attended by the reviewer.

At the time, Prince was touring in support of The Rainbow Children, an album that marked a shift toward more jazz-oriented arrangements and spiritual subject matter. The One Nite Alone concerts were notable for their emphasis on extended performances, improvisation and live musicianship rather than elaborate stage production.

The review reflects the growing recognition that Prince's appeal in the early 2000s rested as much on his abilities as a musician and bandleader as on his long-established reputation as a pop superstar.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Event: Prince live at the Apollo Hammersmith

Era: 2002 The Rainbow Children / One Nite Alone era

Tone: Enthusiastic and appreciative

Photography: Live performance photograph of Prince with guitar

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

• Review of Prince's Apollo Hammersmith performance

• Extensive praise for the New Power Generation

• Strong emphasis on material from The Rainbow Children

• Recognition of Prince's musicianship and live performance skills

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